Archery bow string release device

ABSTRACT

An improved archery bow string device comprises a release member releasably engageable with a bow string, an elongated pull member connected to the release member and extending rearwardly thereof and a pressure member, preferably operated with the thumb, and connected adjacent its forward end to the pull member and/or release member, the rear end of the pressure member being pivotable about the forward end thereof. A release pin projects from the pressure member at an angle generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pull member. The release member preferably comprises a closed loop engageable with the pin and the pressure member usually comprises a generally flat plate intersecting the pull member at a controllable angle and disposed adjacent one side thereof. The angle of intersection may be limited by an adjustable slide member. The lengths of the pin and loop are also adjustable, thus permitting fine control over the ease and rapidity of release of the loop from around a drawn bowstring during shooting of a bow.

United States Patent [1 1 Troncoso, Jr.

[ Apr. 2, 1974 ARCHERY BOW STRING RELEASE DEVICE [76] Inventor: Fernando Troncoso, Jr., 1851 S.

Orange Ave., Monterey Park, Calif.

22 Filed: Apr. 20, 1973 211 Appl.No.:352,939

Primary ExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-William R. Browne Attorney, Agent, or Firm-D0nald E Nist [57] ABSTRACT An improved archery bow string device comprises a release member releasably engageable with a bow string, an elongated pull member connected to the release member and extending rearwardly thereof and a pressure member, preferably operated with the thumb, and connected adjacent its forward end to the pull member and/or release member, the rear end of the pressure member being pivotable about the forward end thereof. A release pin projects from the pressure member at an angle generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pull member. The release member preferably comprises a closed loop engageable with the pin and the pressure member usually comprises a generally flat plate intersecting the pull member at a controllable angle and disposed adjacent one side thereof. The angle of intersection may be limited by an adjustable slide member. The lengths of the pin and 4 loop are also adjustable, thus permitting fine control over the ease and rapidity of release of the loop from around a drawn bowstring during shooting of a how.

11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures ARCHERY BOW STRING RELEASE DEVICE BACKGROUND of one hand to engage the bowstring and draw it back for shooting. The accuracy with which the bow is shot in part depends upon the uniformity with which the archer releases the drawn bowstring from shot to shot.'

Inevitably, some inaccuracy occurs because of the impossibility of perfectly duplicating the manner of the release time after time.

In an effort to increase shooting accuracy and the ease with which the bow string can be held by the archer at full draw, mechanical releases have been devised and recently have met with increasing approval by archers. Some mechanical releases are of the one piece rigid type, formerly known as the bowlock, and

comprise a string-engaging metal or plastic hook rigidly connected to a finger gripping portion. In order to release the drawn string, the archer either twists the release hand and the release device or rotates the release device with the the fingers, thus disengaging the hook.

Clean releases are obtained in this manner, resulting in greater shooting accuracy and higher arrow speed, since finger drag on the released bowstring is eliminated. Moreover, the moment of release cannot be anticipated. This is important in order to prevent flinching and loss of accuracy. However, the sudden release of the bowstring sometimes produces unpleasant body and release hand recoil. Moreover, the sudden release has been shown in high speed photographs to produce both vertical and lateral bowstring oscillations which may cause some degree of shooting inaccuracy. Of

. more importance, the release hand must be manipulated in exactly the same way each time for bowstring release in order to minimize shooting inaccuracy. This is difficult to do and takes considerable practice. Moreover, while the release hand is manipulating the release aid to effect the release, the bow must be kept critically aimed on the target. Since the release hand manipulation takes time and the moment of releaseis not predictable, bad shots can occur due to the bow drifting off the target before the release can be effected.

Some drawbacks of one piece hook releases have been overcome by the so-called strap releases. The latter generally comprise straps or cords which are used by looping them around the bowstring, pinching the free ends of the loop together behind the bowstring with the thumb and forefinger and pulling the pinched ends back with the release hand. One of the pinched ends is allowed to slip free in order to effect the release of the drawn bowstring. Since at the moment of release the bowstring is gripped on opposite sides by the loop of the strap or cord, lateral and vertical string oscillations are dampened and reduced. The archer has a greater degree of control over when the release of. the bowstring will occur. While this can result in a shorter time between initiation of release and the. actual release, anticipation of the actual release can also occur and result in flinching and shot inaccuracy. Moreover, the bowstring, particularly if the bow is powerful, is somewhat difficult to hold in the full draw position by such a device. Blisters may occur initially on the release hand thumb due to pressure required to hold the drawn bowstring and the friction occurring when the end of the cord slides over the thumb contact area during release. Moreover, variations in arrow speed and, thus, the point of impact on the target can occur due to variations in the thumb area of contact with the end of the cord and hence the extent of drag exerted by the thumb during release. I

Accordingly, there has been a need for a mechanical release which can improve accuracy by decreasing the length of time between initiating the release and obtaining the actual release while still keeping the actual release from being anticipated, thus affording greater control by the archer. Such device should allow the archer to hold the bowstring at full draw without tiring, strain and blistering of the fingers of the release hand so that aiming can be made very precise. Such device should be simple, inexpensive, easily used with a high degree of skill and adjustable to suit the particular .needs of individual archers as to ease and speed of release. Preferably, such device should not require any 'major movement of the release hand or its fingers in order to effect release of the bowstring, thus improving accuracy.

I SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention satisfies the foregoing needs and is substantially as set forth in the Abstract above. Thus, an improved mechanical bowstring release device is provided which is inexpensive and simple to use and affords improved shooting accuracy. The time between initiating release and actual release can readily be adjusted while not producing anticipation of the actual release. The device dampens the bowstring during actual release so as to produce a smooth shot with reduced recoil. Moreover, the bowstring can be held at full draw without tiring or blistering of the fingers of the release hand. At full draw, none of those fingers contact the string-engaging portion of the release, so that finger drag and consequent inaccuracy are eliminated. The device can bemade completely adjustable in a number of ways so as to more readily adapt it to the needs and preferences of individual archers. Further details of the improved device are set forth in the following detailed description and accompanying drawmgs.

DRAWINGS FIG. 3 is a schematic top plan view of the device of FIG. 2 just after release of the bowstring;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the improved release device of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic top plan view of a portion of the device of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION First Embodiment (FIGS. 1 3) The first embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically in FIG. 1. Thus, device is shown which comprises a release member 12 at the forward end thereof in the form of a closed loop 15 of cord 14, which extends rearwardly to form an elongated pull member 16, terminating adjacent its rear end in a knot 18 (FIG. 2) bearing against the rear end of a disc-like hand positioning plate 20 disposed around member 16. Pull member 16 preferably is enclosed in a flexible hollow cylinder 22 of transparent plastic or the like easily grippable by the fingers of the archers release hand. It will be understood that loop 15 can be formed of a strip of leather, plastic, cellulosic material or the like, but it is preferred that a relatively hard round cord, such as sash cord, be used for point contact with the bowstring 24 (FIG. 2) so as to minimize bowstring drag. Plate 20 can be formed of any suitable material such as metal, plastic or the like.

A pressure member 26 is secured adjacent its forward end to the rear end of loop 15 and/or to pull member 16 adjacent loop 15s rear end, as shown in FIG. 1, as by a screw or nut 27 secured to member 26. The rear end of member 26 is left free. Pressure member 26 may comprise a generally flat plate 28 of metal, plastic or the like of a size to accommodate at least a portion of the archers thumb, and is disposed generally along the longitudinal axis and on one side of pull member 16, intersecting it at an angle when thumb pressure is removed therefrom (FIG. 3), but moveable (pivotable) to a position in line with said longitudinal axis when compressed by the thumb against pull member 16, as shown in FIG. 2.

Plate 28 has a pin 30 projecting from the forward portionof the side of plate 28 opposite the side adjacent to pull member 16. Pin 30 extends generally transverse of the longitudinal axis of pull member 16 and is adapted to receive loop 15 as shown in FIG. 2 so as to releasably retain it around bowstring 24 while bowstring 24 is being drawn and held before release of bowstring 24. Preferably, plate 20 is slightly curved rearwardly outwardly from its longitudinal axis to facilitate thumb engagement therewith.

When it is desired to use device 10, loop 15 is placed around bowstring 24 and secured on pin 30 in the manner shown in FIG. 2, plate 28 is pressed againstme mber 16 between the thumb and forefinger of the release hand, the remaining fingers of the release hand are wrapped around cylinder 22 with the butt of the release hand against the front surface of plate 20 and bowstring 24 is drawn to the archers anchor point, i.e., full draw, with the release hand in the position shown in FIG. 2.

The bow is then aimed and when it is desired to release the drawn bowstring, this is easily accomplished merely by easing up the thumb pressure, thereby allowing the bowstring to pivot the rear end of plate 28 away from pull member 16 and into the position shown in F IG. 3. In this position, pin 30 has been moved by plate 28 from a position perpendicular to the main axisof loop 15 (FIG. 2) to a position slanted forward enough I (FIG. 3) to allow the portion of loop 15 engaging pin 30 to slip forward over the free end of pin 30, thus effecting the release. During the release, the bowstring moves forward, causing loop 15 to slide around it into the position shown in FIG. 3. Such release is clean, smooth and controlled, with the double strand of loop 15 acting on both sides of bowstring 24 to dampen its vibrations. The release can be effected with minimal hand movement. Neither the thumb nor the other release hand fingers touch loop 15 in order to effect the release, so that finger drag and flinching due to anticipation are eliminated. Easily reproduced, highly accurate shots are obtained, even by beginners.

Second Embodiment (FIGS. 4 5) A second preferred embodiment of the present device is schematically shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this regard, an improved release device 40 is shown. Device 40 is similar in construction to device 10 and functions in a basically similar manner. In FIGS. 4 and 5, components of device 40 similar or identical to those of device 10 bear the same numerals, but are succeeded by the letter a. Thus, device 40 includes a release member in the form of a cord 14a formed into a closed loop 15a. The two strands of cord 14a extend rearwardly to form pull member 16a which includes a knot 18a adjacent the rear end thereof and abutting the rear end of a circular hand positioning plate 20a. Member 16a is enclosed in a hollow flexible transparent plastic cylinder 22a.

Device 40 also includes a pressure member 42 which comprises a relatively long thin block 44 of suitable material such as metal, plastic, wood or the like. Block 44 is provided with a plurality of pairs of apertures 46 extending therethrough (FIG. 5) and sloped to facilitate accomodation of the strands of cord 14a in releasable frictional contact therewith. Thus, the strands of cord 14a pass forward from a first side of block 44 and exit the opposite side of block 44, then pass back through the next more forward set of forwardly sloping apertures 46 in block 44, exit the block 44 on the first side, reenter the most forward set of sloping apertures 46 and exit on the opposite side near the front end of block 44.

The purpose of the serpentine path of cord 14a through block 44 is to effectively cinch block 44 in place but to permit it to be moved relative to cord 14a, when desired, to shorten or lengthen loop 15a. When loop 150 is lengthened, its angle of attack with pin 48 (in block 44) over which it is looped during use of release 40 in the manner of release 10, as shown in FIG. 2, is changed such that loop 15a can be disengaged from pin 48 with less tilting of pin 48 forward (by pivoting of block 44), i.e., a faster release. If, on the other hand, loop 15a is shortened, its angle of attack with pin 48 is changed such that it takes greater forward tilting movement of pin 48 (pivoting of block 44) to accomplish disengagement of loop 15a from pin 48 for release. In order to lengthen or shorten loop 15a, cord 14a is fed by hand forwardly or rearwardly through apertures 46. Pulling on opposite ends of cord then automatically cinches block 44 in its relocated posirubber or the like, so as to facilitate its releasable gripping function. lt will be noted from FIG. 5 wherein block 44 is shown in its proper position relative to the longitudinal axis of device 40 (arrows) that block 44 intersects member 16a at an angle, being connected thereto adjacent the forward end of block 44, but with the rear end of block 44 free.

Band 52 slides forward and rearward along the length of block 44 and is disposed around both block 44 and the next adjacent portion of cord 14a (member 16a). When band 52 is positioned near the rear end of block 44, the angle through which block 44 can move towards and away from member 16a is severely limited. As band 52 is slid forward, that angle increases. Thus, band 52 can be used to control the extent of pivoting of block 44, i.e., the extent of forward tilting of pin 48 (which is generally similar to pin 30). If the angle is to be made small, then a small extent of pivoting of the rear end of block 44 away from member 16a must be capable of effecting the desired release. This can be arranged by controlling the extent to which the free end of pin 48 projects outwardly beyond loop 150 when the latter engages it. Thus, pin 48 can be press fitted into block 44 so that it can be moved in and out of block 44 to adjust its length. Moreover, the position of pin 48 so selected can be releasably retained by means such as a set screw 54 threaded through block 44 and into releasable contact with pin 48.

In order to provide block 44 with a predetermined preferred limit of rear end clearance with member 16a, and in order to facilitate movement of block 44 between that position and a position abutting member 16a, block 44 can also be made such that its thickness (from side to side) tapers down from the rear to the front end thereof, as shown in FIG. 5. The foregoing features of construction of device 40 enable it to be critically adjusted to suit the needs and preferences of the individual archer. Thus, the length of loop a can be adjusted to decrease or increase basic ease of release of loop 15a from engagement with pin 48. Pin 48 itself can be extended or retracted to partly control the speed and ease of release, while band 52 can be positioned to limit the extent of pivoting of block 44 from member 160, again to effect the fineness and speed of release. Tapering of block 44 achieves analogous results.

Accordingly, device 40, like device 10, provides improved shooting accuracy by improving the ease of holding and aiming the bow at full draw and improving the manner in which the release is effected. Other advantages are as set forth in the foregoing.

Various modifications can be made in the present device and in the components thereof. All such modifications as are within the scope of the appended claims form part of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved archery bow string release device, said release device comprising in combination:

a. a release means releasably engageable with an archery bow string by folding about it so as to permit the retraction of a bowstring by a user;

b. an elongated pull member secured to said release member and extending rearwardly thereof;

0. a pressure means secured near the connection of said release means and said pull member for receiving pressure of a users finger, the rear end of said pressure member being pivotable about the forward end thereofiand,

d. a pin means attached to and extending from the said pressure means for receiving the release means during the retraction of a bowstring and to permit the removal therefrom of said release means during the pivoting of said pressure member under action of a bowstring when a bowstring is released and moves forwardly, said pin extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of said pull member.

2. The improved device of claim 1 wherein said release means comprises a cord bearing a pin-engageable member.

3. The improved device of claim 2 wherein said cord comprises an elongated closed loop releasably engageable with said pin means.

4. The improved device of'claim 1 wherein said pressure means comprises an elongated plate, one side of which is disposed adjacent one side of said pull member, said plate normally intersecting said pull member at a controllable angle, and wherein said pin means extends outwardly from the opposite side of said plate.

5. The improved device of claim 4 wherein said plate is curved rearwardly and outwardly from its longitudi nal axis to facilitate pivoting thereof.

6. The improved device of claim 4 wherein said plate includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough from opposite sides thereof, within and over which a portion of said pull member is disposed in frictional engagement therewith.

7. The improved device of claim 6 wherein said apertures are sloped to facilitate adjustable engagement of said pull member therewith to adjustably control the length of said release member, and wherein said pull member describes a serpentine path through said plate.

8. The improved device of claim 4 wherein an adjustable slide member is disposed around and frictionally engages said plate to the portion of said pull member next adjacent said plate, said slide member being adjustable to positions along the length of said plate to change the angle through which the rear end of said plate can be pivoted towards and away from said next adjacent portion of said pull member.

9. The improved device of claim 4 wherein said plate is tapered down in thickness from the rear end thereof to the forward end thereof so as to control the angle of intersection of said plate with the longitudinal axis of said pull member.

10. The improved device of claim 4 wherein said pin means is adjustable in length of extension thereof from said plate and wherein said plate includes adjustable pin retaining means.

1 1. The improved device of claim 1 wherein said pull member comprises a cord disposed within a flexible cylinder and wherein said cord has a knot formed therein, said knot being connected adjacent the rear end of a generally transversly extending hand positioning plate. 

1. An improved archery bow string release device, said release device comprising in combination: a. a release means releasably engageable with an archery bow string by folding about it so as to permit the retraction of a bowstring by a user; b. an elongated pull member secured to said release member and extending rearwardly thereof; c. a pressure means secured near the connection of said release means and said pull member for receiving pressure of a user''s finger, the rear end of said pressure member being pivotable about the forward end thereof; and, d. a pin means attached to and extending from the said pressure means for receiving the release means during the retraction of a bowstring and to permit the removal therefrom of said release means during the pivoting of said pressure member under action of a bowstring when a bowstring is released and moves forwardly, said pin extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of said pull member.
 2. The improved device of claim 1 wherein said release means comprises a cord bearing a pin-engageable member.
 3. The improved device of claim 2 wherein said cord comprises an elongated closed loop releasably engageable with said pin means.
 4. The improved device of claim 1 wherein said pressure means comprises an elongated plate, one side of which is disposed adjacent one side of said pull member, said plate normally intersecting said pull member at a controllable angle, and wherein said pin means extends outwardly from the opposite side of said plate.
 5. The improved device of claim 4 wherein said plate is curved rearwardly and outwardly from its longitudinal axis to facilitate pivoting thereof.
 6. The improved device of claim 4 wherein said plate includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough from opposite sides thereof, within and over which a portion of said pull member is disposed in frictional engagement therewith.
 7. The improved device of claim 6 wherein said apertures are sloped to facilitate adjustable engagement of said pull member therewith to adjustably control the length of saId release member, and wherein said pull member describes a serpentine path through said plate.
 8. The improved device of claim 4 wherein an adjustable slide member is disposed around and frictionally engages said plate to the portion of said pull member next adjacent said plate, said slide member being adjustable to positions along the length of said plate to change the angle through which the rear end of said plate can be pivoted towards and away from said next adjacent portion of said pull member.
 9. The improved device of claim 4 wherein said plate is tapered down in thickness from the rear end thereof to the forward end thereof so as to control the angle of intersection of said plate with the longitudinal axis of said pull member.
 10. The improved device of claim 4 wherein said pin means is adjustable in length of extension thereof from said plate and wherein said plate includes adjustable pin retaining means.
 11. The improved device of claim 1 wherein said pull member comprises a cord disposed within a flexible cylinder and wherein said cord has a knot formed therein, said knot being connected adjacent the rear end of a generally transversly extending hand positioning plate. 